QUROPE Quantum Information Processing and Communication in Europe

Modern encryption methods are composed of two parts: an algorithm that encrypts or decrypts our data with a random, secret key with our data, and a method of sharing the secret key between two parties. The encryption algorithm (AES-256) appears safe, at least for the next 20 to 30 years, based on our current knowledge of cryptographic attacks. But the methods for generating and sharing the random, secret key will no longer be safe once quantum computers are readily available.